Joseph A. Piera: The ill-perceived president

Joseph A. Piera

Published 9:22 pm, Wednesday, January 8, 2014

The default reaction of a right-winger to any Obama initiative is cynical and skeptical. Their own Heritage Foundation, of rigid conservative bias, laid out the original blueprints for Romneycare and Obamacare in the mid-'90s. Yet when the Democrats let the insurance, pharmaceutical, hospital and medical representatives formulate Obamacare, of course the Republicans wouldn't go along.

Our president is the world's premier multi-tasker. The average citizen has no clue as to his daily responsibilities and tortuous decision-making.

For example, his early morning counter-terrorism briefings present about 15 pages. Over the past five years, he has almost daily given orders to take out a total of about four thousand high-ranking terrorists. It is not easy to decide, as in the bin Laden termination, the safest and efficient use of drones, missiles etc.; not to mention maintaining good relations with foreign governments.

As Obama has reclaimed the respect of countries that Bush and Rumsfeld insulted, the loyal opposition continues to rant against his foreign policies. While the GOP hawks scream for action in Syria, Iran, et al., the president sticks to his sane policy of diplomacy rather than our soldiers' lives. It is appalling that the complainers scoff at Obama's Nobel Peace Prize.

They call Obama soft on illegal immigration, neglecting to cite his enforcement of the laws by expelling 300,000 offenders. Just as with his non-socialistic health care reforms, the liberal wing of his party chastises his tough treatment of some immigrants. But fortunately, he seeks a fair and equitable immigration reform bill.

Of course the topic du jour is the so called Obamacare "train wreck." But first some background. No one since 1993 has attempted to slow down the rapid rise of health care and insurance.

Insurance was escalating so that it would double every nine years. Medical and hospital costs were also climbing more rapidly than general inflation. Do the math. Would there be enough money left for rent and food and gas eventually? As for businesses being confused and upset during this reform, they were not particularly happy with the annual hassles with insurance renewals and premiums.

Another fact conveniently unaddressed by the perpetual opposition party is the past three-year reductions in health care costs -- the first drops in decades.

But all we hear is the negative diatribe regarding the computer roll-out for information and registration. I mean, every corporate or governmental new computer program is full of glitches. As I wrote three years ago, the Affordable Care Act will require tender, loving care and many tweaks being brought to fruition. This is the start of years of health and financial security, and lower costs.

Finally, the president has energized the usual suspects who are aghast at his ignorance of lower-level governmental activities. Actually, the president plays less golf than his predecessors. He has inherited two wars and an economic and financial melt-down. He takes out terrorists on a daily basis. Not to mention immigration, natural disasters, guarding his safety (unparalleled threats of assassination), the ridiculous requirement of partisan fundraising, numerous White House ceremonies, and I could go on.

So when "the right" questions his ignorance on Benghazi defensive procedures or the IRS Cincinnati office's targeting of tea party applicants for nonprofit status, understand that he has higher priorities.